Civic Group Reports -- Monday May 17, 2010

The Staten Island Archaeology Society met at Wagner College yesterday to hear Dr. Robert Sharer speak about the advanced Mayan culture of 450-850 A.D., which existed in the new world at the time the ancient Romans lived in Europe. He presented slides which showed present excavations at Copan, Belize. The next meeting will be Sept. 19 at Wagner College. All are welcome; call Lillian Orrok 718-448-7362.

SPECIAL INTERESTToastmasters

Richmond County Toastmasters is proud to announce that Lisa Panarello has won the District 83 International Speech Contest at the Ramada Conference Center, East Hanover, N.J. She is the first member of a Toastmasters club on Staten Island to reach that coveted with her speech, “The Power Of A Smile.” Ms. Panarello will now be one of a large field of Toastmasters from around the world who will compete for the title of, “World’s Champion Of Public Speaking,” during the International Convention in August.

MILITARYCespino-Russo

Members of the Cespino-Russo American Legion Post of Rosebank met yesterday in Holy Rosary R.C. Church, South Beach, to celebrate mass and lay a wreath at the parish’s Veterans Memorial.

AMVETS

Members of AMVETS John R. Tamburri Jr. Memorial Post hosted the “Staten Island Welcomes Our Heroes,” event this past weekend. Nine wounded soldiers from Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, D.C., were escorted to Staten Island Friday to honor them for their service and sacrifice. Escorts were provided by the N.J. State Police, Port Authority Police, NYPD, FDNY and various motorcycle organizations including Rescue Ink. Weekend events included a tour aboard a U.S. Coast Guard cutter and a moving visit to Ground Zero.